Suction cleaner



s- 3, 1943. H. B. WHITE 2,325,821 I SUCTION CLEANER Filed May 4, 1942 2Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR y 5. W71

'Hagr 7 iie ORNEY Aug. 3, 1943. H. B. WHITE SUCTION CLEANER Filed May 4,1942 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INV ENTOR Harry B. While B Y 8W ATTORN EY PatentedAug. 3, 1943 SUCTION CLEANER Harry B. White, Canton; Ohio, assignor toThe Hoover Company, North Canton, Ohio, a cor- I poration of OhioApplication May 4, 1942, Serial No. 441,653

Claims.

The present invention relates to suction cleaners in general and moreparticularly to new and novel nozzle height adjusting andconverter-barrier-adjusting means in a suction cleaner. Morespecifically the invention comprises an improved suction cleaner inwhich the converter barrier is moved from obstructing position by adownward force upon the rear of the machine, and also in which thenozzle height is adjusted by a similar force.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a new and improvedsuction cleaner.- It is another object of the invention to provide a newand improved nozzle-height adjusting means in a'suction cleaner. Afurther object of the invention is to provide a new and novel suctioncleaner nozzle-height adjusting construction in which a downward forceexterted upon the rear of the machine can place the machine in conditionfor the attachment of dusting tools and can, at the operators election,change the, nozzle height adjustment. Still another object of theinvention is to provide new and simplified means of controlling theposition and relationship of certain parts in a suction cleaner foroff-the-floor cleaning and on-the-floor cleaning. A still further objectof the invention is to provide a construction in which the downwardforce exerted upon the rear of the machine moves the converter barrierto inoperative position to enable the operator to attach dusting toolsand also, at the election of the operator, eifects a change in thenozzle height adjustment. These and other more specific objects willappear upon reading the following specification-and claims and uponconsidering in connection therewith the attached drawings to which theyrelate.

Referring now to the drawings in which a preferred embodiment of theinvention is disclosed and in which the same reference character refersto the same parts throughout:

Figure 1 is a side view of a suction cleaner constructed in accordancewith the present invention, certain parts being broken away and thenozzle being shown in its low nozzle position, the dotted lines showingin part the position of the converter barrier and nozzle heightadjusting means upon the attachment of a converter element;

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but shows the position of theparts with the nozzle inits high nozzle position; 1

Figure 3 is a view in perspective of the nozzleheight-controlling means.

The modern suction cleaner is primarily intended for cleaning rugs andcarpets but it is also capable of cleaning drapes, curtains, etc.,positioned above the fioor. To accomplish this latter function it isnecessary that dusting tools be attached to the suction-creating meansof the machine in order that the suction may be made effective at adistance from the cleaner body. The usual modern suction cleanerembodies driven surface-agitating means within its nozzle and, when themachine is converted for oif-the-fioor use, no useful purpose resultsfrom permitting those means to remain in contact with the surfacecovering. Accordingly, it is desirable that the nozzle end of thecleaner-be raised to an inoperative position during off-the-floorcleaning. This off-the-fioor or inoperative nozzle position is higherthan any operative position which the nozzle-height controlling meansnormally provides in on-the-floor cleaning. It is sufiiciently high thatthe nozzle or at least all agitating elements therein are spaced fromand are out of contact with the surface covering therebelow.

Furthermore, it is necessary that a suction cleaner be capable ofcleaning all types of surface coverings. Today these coverings vary overa wide plane, some having thin short pile while others have thick longpile. In the suction cleaner constructed in accordance with the presentinvention means are present to provide a low nozzle position and a highnozzle position so that all types of coverings can be cleaned withoutdifficulty. It is seen, then, that in the suction cleaner described thenozzle will have at least three positions', it might have more. First,an inoperative nozzle position, which is assumed during off-thefloorcleaning; second, a low operating position; and third, a high operatingposition. A preferred embodiment of such a suction cleaner will now bedescribed.

In the drawings a modem suction cleaner is illustrated and-is seen tocomprise a main casin fan chamber and is formed atits end with arearwardly facing wall or flange 1. A motor hood 9 overlies the maincasing l and houses the unshown driving motor.

Additionally,- there is a detachable bag ill the ring H of whichissuitably connected to the rear flange l of the exhaust outlet bymanually operable nuts l2. Also, the cleaner handle I4 is pivotallyconnected to the cleaner body at a point within the motor hood 9. Thefront of the machine is supported by front wheels, one'of which isindicated at l5, and these may be fixedly attached to the cleaner body.The rear of the machine is carried by adjustable rear wheels 16. Body Iis provided with a dusting tool converter seat l8, shownin dotted linesin Figures 1 and 2 which, when the converter barrier is removed, isadapted to receive and seat the converter element of a dusting tool unitto enable that element to connect to the suction-creating means of thecleaner.

In the form of the invention disclosed the nozzle adjustment isaccomplished by the raising or lowering of the rear of the cleaner bodyupon the rear supporting wheels I6. Adjustment could be obtained byadjusting the front wheels but as disclosed it is the rear wheels whichare adjustable. The means by which they are adjusted will now bedescribed.

Rear wheels I6 are rotatably mounted upon a shaft I! carried by abracket l8 pivoted to the underside of the exhaust passageway 6 upon anaxis by a support stud 2| depending from the exhaust outlet. Forward ofthe pivotal axis 28, bracket i9 is formed as a barrier arm 22 whichextends into and partially across the converter seat l8. In the lownozzle position, illustrated in Figure 1, barrier 22 contacts theunderside of fan chamber 5 to limit the downward movement of the rearwheels l6 under the urging of coil springs 24 positioned between bracketi8 and the underside of exhaust outlet 6. When so related, the nozzle isin its low operating position and dusting tools cannot be inserted intothe seat i8 by virtue of'the obstructing relationship of the barrier 22thereto. I

To provide the high nozzle adjustment the rear of the bracket I8 isprovided with a downwardly facing shelf or shoulder 28 at its rearwardend which is adapted to seat upon the angularly turned lower end of acam latch 28 in a certain position of the latter. Cam latch 28 ispivoted centrally at 29 upon a stud 21 extended downwardly from theunderside of casing l, and is adapted to have two positions asillustrated in Figures 1 and In each of these positionsit is resistinglyheld by means of a spring detent 3i engaging a notch 32 formed in therear edge of the latch, each notch corresponding to one of the twopositions of the latch.

When the hooked end 26 of the bracket I8 is in engagement with the latch28, as illustrated in Figure 2, the wheel end of bracket i8 is heldcloser to the body than in the position illustrated in Figure 1. Thisresults in the body being tilted rearwardly relative to the positionshown in Figure 1 and produces the high nozzle operating position asillustrated in Figure 2. In this position, it is to be noted, the planeof the lower surfacecontacting edges of the nozzle is at a greater dis-.ance above the supporting surface. In this high nozzle position as inthe low nozzle position, the barrier end of the bracket extends into theconverter seat l8 thereby preventing the attachment of dusting tools.

The means which provide for the positioning of the cam latch 28 by theoperator comprise a substantially horizontal lever 35 which is pivotedupon a pin 36 carried by a bracket 21 on the underside of the casing I.From a central portion of the lever 35 a foot-operated plunger 38extends upwardly through an aperture 38 in the casing i. At the outerend of lever 35 a downwardly extending pawl 4| is pivotally secured bypin 42. This pawl is formed at its upper end as an elongated fiatsurface adapted to abut the overlying flat wall of easing l, as isclearly illustrated in the drawings, and when so positioned the pawl isin its mid-position with its cam-contacting pin 43, positioned at thelower end thereof, substantially directly below it's pivotal axis, Pin43 is adapted to seat in one of the two cam seats 38 formed in the upperend surface of cam 28. These seats are divided, as isclearlyillustrated, by a narrow projection 33 which, in the two po- 5 sitionsof the latch, extends upon opposite sides of the pawl pin 43 when thepawl is in its midposition.

The relationship is such that as the pawl is moved downwardly under aforce exerted through the foot plunger 38 and lever 35, the pawl pin 63seats in one of thetwo seats and effects a pivotal movement of the camlatch 28. Because of the position of the projection 33 the pawl pin isalways diverted from its vertical position to seat in the cam seat whichwill cause the latch to pivot to its second position. Thereafter, uponthe withdrawal of the operator-exerted force, the pawl moves upwardlyunder the actuation of the coil spring 44 acting on the lever at its 20pivotal point 36. The pawl, at its upper flat surface, again contactsthe underside of casing I and is realigned to its mid-position so thatwhen again depressed it will b seated in the other cam seat and willcause the latch to move in the oppo- 5 site direction The cam 28 isshown in two positions in Figures 1 and 2, and in each it is seen to beretained resistingly by the spring-pressed detent 3| cooperating withits seats 32 in the latch.

The operation of the adjustment is quite simple. Regardless of whetherthe cleaner is positioned in the low or high nozzle position, asillustrated respectively in Figures 1 and 2, it can be adapted foroif-the-fioor use merely by depress- 35 ing the rear of the machine.This results in the relative movement of the rear wheel I6 against theaction of coil springs 24, the pivoting of the bracket l8, and themovement of the converter barrier 22 downwardly from the position shownin full lines, either in Figure 1 or Figure 2, to a position in which itis positioned entirely below the converter seat 18. Thereafter, theconverter element can be inserted and upon the release of the downwardforce upon the cleaner the barrier element moves up into contact withthe converter, as indicated in dotted lines in Figure 1. When sopositioned the rear wheels I6 are closer to the body than in any otherposition, the machine is tilted rearwardly to a greater extent, and, asa result, the nozzle of the machine is raised to a higher position. Inthat position the agitator positioned within the nozzle is out ofcontact with the surface covering. The return to one-the-floor cleaningis accomplished merely by depressing the rear of the machine slightly,to permit of the manual withdrawal of the dusting tool element,whereupon under the actuation of the coil springs 24 the bracket againpivots into its original position, as illustrated in either Figure 1 orFigure 2.

Change from low nozzle position to high nozzle position is easilyaccomplished. Let it be assumed that the operator desires to change fromthe low nozzle position, illustrated in Figure 1, to the high nozzleposition illustrated in Figure 2. He exerts a downward force upon therear of the machine accompanied by a depressing force upon the footplunger 38. These two forces can be one and the same, or they can be twoindividual forces. The effect of the force upon the rear of the machineis the compression of the coil springs 24 and the movement of the bodydownwardly at the rear, or relative thereto, of wheels l6 upwardly. Theresult of the force exerted through the foot plunger 38 is the downward-will be that illustrated in Figure 1.

movement of the pawl 4| into contact with the right hand cam latch seat30, which effects a pivotal movement of the cam latch clockwise asviewed in Figure 1. The machine must be forced downwardly sufficientlyto permit the lower offset end of the latch 28 to extend under theshoulder 26 whereupon the release of the force will result in theshoulder 26 hooking over the latch as illustrated in Figure 2. Themachine is related as illustrated in Figure 2 and the nozzle is at itsraised position. As illustrated, in both positions the converter barrierperforms its obstructing function.

Adjustment of the nozzle height from the high nozzle position, asillustrated in Figure 2, to the low nozzle position, illustrated inFigure 1, is substantially like that just described. It is againnecessary to exert a downward force upon the foot-operated plunger 38.If the force exerted on the plunger alone is sufflciently great thelatch element 28 will be disengaged from the shoulder 26 and under thepivoting force exerted by coil springs 24 the bracket l9 will pivotdownwardly until the barrier arm 22 contacts the underside of the fanchamber and the position Usually, however, the disengagement of thelatch 28 with shoulder 26 can be accomplished more easily if, inaddition to the downward force exerted upon the plunger 38, the rear ofthe machine is also forced downward slightly. This is the recommendedprocedure.

It is to be understood that the above described embodiment of theinvention is preferred but that the invention is adapted to be embodiedin different forms.

I claim:

1. In a suction cleaner, 9. body including a nozzle, front and rearsupporting wheels for said body, a frame movably mounting said one wheelfor movement toward and from said body, resilient means urging saidwheel from said body, a converter barrier carried by said frame andpositioned to contact said body to hold said wheel at one distance fromsaid body, a movable latch adapted to contact said frame to hold saidwheel at a second distance from said body, and means to position saidlatch comprising a, cam surface movable therewith, anoperator-contactable plunger, and a pawl actuated by said plungeradapted to cooperate with said cam surface to move said latch.

2. In a suction cleaner, a body including a. converter seat and anozzle, front and rear supporting wheels for said body, a framepivotally mounting one of said wheels, resilient means urging one sideof said frame and said one wheel from said body, a converter barriercarried by said frame upon the opposite side of its pivotal axis fromsaid one wheel, said barrier extending into said seat and adapted tocontact a converter seated therein or to contact said body with noconverter seated therein to give two angular positions to said frame andtwo positions to said one wheel, said frame'and barrier beingpositionable by a downward force on said cleaner to overcome saidresilient means, and means to position said frame at a third angularposition and said one wheel at a third position and comprisingabody-carried latch adjustable between inoperative and frame-contactingpositions, operatoroperable means to position said latch in either ofits positions under a downward force. characterized in that the samedownward force can selectively depress the cleaner body only to positionsaid frame and barrier or can depress said cleaner and operate saidoperator-operable means.

3. In a suction cleaner, a body including a converter seat and a nozzle,front and rear supporting wheels for said body, a frame pivotallymounting one of said wheels, resilient means urg ing one side of saidframe and said one wheel from said body, a converter barrier carried bysaid frame upon the opposite side of its pivotal axis from said onewheel, said barrier extending into said seat and adapted to contact aconverter seated therein or to contact said body with no converterseated therein to give two angular positions to said frame and twopositions to said onewheel, and means to position said frame at a thirdangular position and said one wheel at a third position and comprising alatch pivoted on said body for movement between a frame-holding and aninoperative position and including a cam surface, a cam-contacting pawladapted to contact said surface in each position of the latch to forceit to its remaining position, a pivoted lever arm mounting said pawl formovement toward and from said cam surface, spring means exerting a forceto move said pawl from said surface, and an operator-contactable plungercarried by said lever and adapted to receive a pawl-actuating force.

4. In a suction cleaner, a body including a converter seat and a nozzle,front and rear supporting wheels for said body, a frame pivotallymounting said rear wheels, spring means supporting the rear of said bodyon said frame and urging said rear wheels downwardly, a converterbarrier carried by said frame and movable from obstructing relationshiprelative to said converter seat upon the pivotal movement of said frameupon the exertion of a vertical force on said body above said frame, alatch movable into and from frame-holding position with the rear of thebody depressed, and operator-operable means to move said latch into orfrom frame-holding position and including a reciprocable spring-pressedplunger and means adapted selectively to be actuated by said verticalforce.

5. In a suction cleaner, 9. body including a converter seat and anozzle, front and rear supporting wheels for said body, a framepivotally mounting said rear wheels, spring means supporting the rear ofsaid body on said frame and urging said rear wheels downwardly, aconverter barrier carried by said frame and movable into and fromobstructing relationship with said converter seat upon the pivotalmovement of said frame, said barrier being adapted to contact said bodyor a converter element seated in said seat to provide an operative andan inoperative nozzle position respectively, a latch carried by saidbody movable into and from frame-holding position, adapted to securesaid frame in a second operative position, and formed with a cam surfacecontoured to effect movement of said latch under a force, an actuatingpawl adapted to contact said surface to exert said force, and means toconvey a force to said pawl and including an operatoroperated element.

HARRY B. WHITE.

